Mikera

A few weeks ago, 1 of my low beam headlamps which are the HID version suddenly stopped working. I took the car to the dealership to diagnose the problem and they installed a new bulb that worked for a while then started going out as soon as it was turned on. I then took the car back to the dealership they took out the bulb that they installed swapped it with the other bulb that was still working and then suddenly both bulbs were working only intermittently. The dealership says that I have a ballast problem and that it will cost $1800 to replace the ballast and the bulbs. I find it hard to believe that the ballast would suddenly go on one and then the other bulb in such quick succession. Has anyone here had a problem with their H ID lowbeams suddenly not working and what was the solution?

firelizard

iTrader: (1)

The service manual suggests checking the headlight control relay, the light control ecu (aka "ballast"), and the wiring. Specifically, it suggests replacing the light control ecu with a known working one, to check: "To inspect the bulb and light control ECU, replace them with the ones working normally and judge whether they work normally or not."

TrueGS300

It likely is a ballast issue. I'd swipe them from a junkyard car if possible. Look at your local craigslist etc. for parts cars. New OEMs are too expensive.